Sharing the Gospel with Mormons

Salvation is a gift. It is not something we are capable of earning (Eph 2:8-9). No matter how well-intentioned we are, no matter how long or hard we work, no matter how great the sacrifices we make – no measure of good works can earn us salvation (Mt 7:21-23). Our good works are vanity (see Ps 127; Eccl 2:22-23; 3:14). Good works are based on the assumption that we have the power to save ourselves. Our good works are considered “lawlessness” if done with the belief we can deserve salvation (see Mt 7:21-23). Instead, our good works are the appropriate response of love (Jn 14:15) and thanksgiving (Col 3:15-17) for the free gift of salvation we are offered by God’s grace, paid for in full by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  (Ephesians 2:8-9; Mt 7:21-23; Ps 127:1-2; Eccl 2:22-23; 3:14; Jn 14:15; Col 3:15-17)

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Our sin earns us a punishment – Jesus took our punishment by dying on the cross.

Our sin earns for us a debt – Jesus paid that debt for us by dying on the cross.

With his dying breath, Jesus said, “It is finished.” Our debt was paid in full.

Salvation is His to freely offer as a gift to whomever He chooses.

We owe nothing. It’s a gift – a gift He paid for with his life.

 

We either accept his free gift & respond with humble gratitude

 or we refuse to accept his gift for free and keep trying to earn it.

(Based on Col 2:13-14; 1 Cor 6:19-20; Jn 19:30)

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If salvation is not earned, how then exactly does someone accept God’s free gift of salvation?

Rom 10:9-10 “…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

The thief on the cross had no good works, yet we know he believed in Jesus, confessed with his mouth, and received salvation (Lk:39-43).

Rom 4:5 “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness…”

We respond to God’s offer (i.e. his free gift of salvation) by practicing righteousness (e.g. godliness and good works) – not to earn his salvation or his favor because we already have it. Instead, we practice righteousness because we love him; it is our way of thanking him for his love and salvation (1 Jn 3:4-10). Practicing righteousness is like practicing basketball – we may never once get the ball in the basket, but it’s still considered “practicing” (a.k.a. trying). Practicing righteousness doesn’t mean we never sin; it doesn’t mean we do what is right all the time; it doesn’t even mean we do it well. But God knows the intentions of our heart, and his desire for us is not perfection; he desires a heart full of love for him and a life lived out of gratitude for the free gift of love and salvation he has given us (Col 3:17).  (1 Jn 3:4-10; Col 3:17)

 
God isn’t threatening to withhold salvation, affection, favor, or blessing from us if we don’t do a certain amount of good works for Him. What He wants from us is simply this: a loving relationship; He wants to know us (Mt 7:21-23)…and for us to know Him (Eph 3:14-21).  (Mt 7:21-23; Eph 3:14-21)

What does salvation from God through Jesus Christ mean for us? It means: abundant life (Jn 10:10), freedom (Jn 8:32 & 36), security (1 Jn 4:14-19), and rest (Mt 11:28-30).  (Jn 10:10; Jn 8:31-36; 1 Jn 4:14-16,18-19; Mt. 11: 25-30)

Time for Everything...in This Season? (Ecclesiastes 3)

Ecclesiastes 3 English Standard Version (ESV)

A Time for Everything

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace."

I devote time to so many other things. What are all the things I spend time doing? ...and why? 

Ecclesiastes 1:14 says, "I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind." What is meant by "everything" anyway?

I struggle in my attempts to juggle it all. Some may call it a balancing act. Neither analogy fits perfectly, as some things take higher priority over other things. Truly, for everything there is a season... 

In my current season with young kids at home,
there are some key factors 

that have been brought into focus 

to help me make time for all the things 

which are truly appropriate in this season:

Biblically-informed Priorities & Responsibilities

I am striving to live as a servant of God, a missionary to my kids, a manager of my home, a helper to my husband, mom/discipler/teacher to my children (24-7), an ambassador and light for the sake of my extended family, friends, neighbors, and city.

As scripture informs my priorities, I desire to be unwavering in my commitment to them. Then I will be able to say no to all the good things so that I may choose what is better: that to which God has called me.

As I am able to keep priorities in focus I will be able to accomplish all the things God wants on my to-do list. Things of lesser priority may never be accomplished during the busier seasons of life unless I sacrifice some of the other priorities. 

This means there will always be things 

on the to-do list

that do not get accomplished

I need to readjust my perspective and accept this rather than allowing the never-ending list of things I wish to accomplish to make me feel unsuccessful, insufficient, stressed, etc. 

Lord, let me not be deceived into believing that accomplishing more on my to-do list is worth sacrificing sleep, time with You, the health of my relationship with my kids, my ability/availability to serve and help and love my husband well, or anything else You have called me to. 

God-directed Paths

Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
  In all your ways acknowledge him,
      and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
  It will be healing to your flesh
      and refreshment to your bones."

Matthew 11:29 (ESV) 

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

As I strive to discern the paths of the Lord, I need to throw off worldly wisdom and my own sense of understanding, and seek God's wisdom. You will lead me; You will direct my paths according to Your eternal omniscience. God, through Your Spirit, may You empower and lead and direct my every step. Please help me to not take upon myself a yoke heavier than that to which you have called me.

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Lord, may you not only provide me with direction as I plan my schedule, but please also lead me by Your Spirit to recognize the detours You may be providing and to discern which are the detours that are distractions and which are the opportunities You, in your Sovereignty, are calling me to (those things I too often misconceive and wrongly view as distractions). 

Obedient to Rest

Exodus 35:2 (ESV)

"Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord."

"Sleep is a daily reminder from God that we are not God. “He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). But Israel will. For we are not God. Once a day God sends us to bed like patients with a sickness. The sickness is a chronic tendency to think we are in control and that our work is indispensable. To cure us of this disease God turns us into helpless sacks of sand once a day." - John Piper

I am unable to rest if I am inaccurately discerning the things which are within my realm of responsibility/capability and the things that are God's responsibility/capability.

God, please help me to trust You, who created my body to need rest and help me to submit to Your wisdom and to Your calling to get enough sleep each day as well as taking a Sabbath's rest each week. May I use the Sabbath's rest to glorify You and not to serve the allusion of a god of entertainment or to feed a lazy appetite. Please help me to trust that You will make time for what I ought to get done...after I've rested.

Managing my Home Well Involves Managing my Time

Lord, have mercy on me. It's never too late to learn to manage time well. Thank You that You never give up on me and will never abandon the work You've started in me. Thank You that You will enable me to do that to which You have called me.

Please help me to not only reserve time to take a Sabbath but to also take time away to be with You...in prayer and in Your Word...to sit before You like Mary did, soaking in Your love and wisdom and peace.

Finding Rest for my Heart

Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

I'm trusting You, Lord, to provide rest for those who labor and are heavy laden in the midst of a season such as this.

Proverbs 29:17 (ESV)

"Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart."

I am in a season that has me longing for this day. The lack of fruit (so far) in this pursuit has caused (perhaps more than any other thing) a lack of rest in my soul.

Ps 127: 1-4 
"Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
    for he gives to his beloved sleep."

Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 says, "What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun?  For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity."

This heart-rest is key.

When the frustrations start to simmer, please help me to recognize it before I boil over. Please remind me to seek Your wisdom and Your words and Your patience as soon as I notice the stress building. Comfort me with a soul that rests in the security of Your great power and control and purpose for all things, and in Your faithful love and ability to provide.

Please help me to pursue Your yoke for me, the workload You intend for me to complete. Help me to go about my work, not worried and upset like Martha, but to fulfill my responsibilities while my spirit is resting in the knowledge that You are the All-Powerful, All-Knowing, Loving, Faithful God that You Are and that You've got it all under control.

Help me to remember that I have nothing but a few loaves and fish in the basket that I "bring to the table;" it is You Who takes what You've given me and works miracles with it. Please take what I've got and work miracles for the benefit of my family. (Thank you Stephanie Beaty for sharing that analogy!)

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Lord, as I follow Your lead and walk down the God-directed paths You have chosen for my life, please help me to manage my time in such a way that:

1) trusts in and submits to your instruction to allow rest for my body,

2) pursues rest for my heart through my knowledge of Your Word and my relationship with You, and...

3) discerns between which things are and are not my biblically-informed priorities/ responsibilities and avoids anything that causes me to neglect any of those priorities.